Lúghnasagh
2000
Location: Whichford Wood, Oxfordshire
1. Assembly upon a height / in a hole.
2. Preperation of the symbolic offerings and feast materials
3. Casting of the sacred space by all.
4. Pageant of the Triumph of Lugh
5. The solemn reaping and enjoyment of the harvest
6. The burial of the flowers to mark the end of the summer and the beginning of the dark (giamos) state.
7. Taking down of the circle and going to the pub.
1. Obvious.
2. Place all ritual items in the correct positions, ensure mead, etc. are uncorked and all chalices, etc. available within the space to be used. Also that all fruits and offerings are in the right place ( ie. NOT in someones rucksack in Tocil)
3. See other longwinded essay that preceded this one on Circle Casting.
4. As we’ve not the time, or any shared myth to expound on this occasion, the simplest version I can think of to mark this triumph of the light in bettering the dark to the extent we are given a harvest would be a procession about the inside of the circle carrying the spear of Lugh at the front while building energy. Finally it could be brought to the centre where word of thanks would be offered (see below) and then the spear based over the cauldron, which contains some of the fruits of the harvest and a lit candle, from a light robed participant to one robed in darker colours (or wearing a dark cloak) The candle would then be extinguised to mark the end of summer and the beginning of the giamos state.
BARD - Now is the time of the Harvest, when the bounties of nature give themselves that we may live. Oh, Lord of the Grain, grant us the understanding of sacrifice as you prepare to deliver yourself under the scythe, and travel with the Dark lady to the Otherworld Feast of Mannan mac Lir.
5. (The Feast)
BARD - We partake of the first harvest, mixing its energies with ours as we quest for perfection. Lord and Lady, gracious ones, we offer our thanks for the continuing harvest of the Earth. May the nodding grains loose their seeds to be buried in the Mothers’ breast ensuring rebirth in the warmth of the Spring we know must come after these dark days.
Recital of the Universal Druids Prayer in Triplicate (this is not authentic obviously, but I believe that the sentiment fits) -- Much Feasting and Being Silly.
6. After the end of the Feast and Being Silly the mood should sombre again as we realise that the summer we have just enjoyed symbolically in the feast is at an end. All join together to dig a narrow scrape in the earth at the foot of the bilios tree. Into this the flower strewn water collected at Bealtain is poured to mark the end of summer and the passing into darkness. All contemplate the meaning of the moment.
7. The circle is taken down, everyone wanders noisily off to the pub.